Belgium: youth for peace On Sunday April 25 the second edition of “Do it 4 peace” took place in the heart of Belgium. It is an initiative of “The Youth for a United World” of the Focolari community in Belgium. “Dances, music, chants and animation for children were held on a sunny afternoon – the organizers said in a communiqué -. This gave life to an island of fraternity inside the city. The festival thus became the expression of a dream of unity in diversity and the fruit of the cooperation of different countries”. Young people animated by the same ideals arrived from the Netherlands and from Italy to work with the youth of Lebanon, Congo, Morocco, Slovakia, Wallonia and the Flanders. “Passers-by, attracted by the youth’s enthusiasm and by their activities have seen them and heard them transmit their ideals experienced in every-day life”. Two projects were launched during the event: a petition titled “Arms down” promoted by the organization of “Religions for Peace” and a fund-collection to support a project for the promotion of fraternity between Christians, Muslims and Jews. The objective of the meeting was to show that differences, far from constituting an obstacle, could become the source of mutual enrichment. France: document on Christian music After two years’ work, the French Bishops’ Conference issued a document dedicated to modern Christian music (MAC) in the framework of the pastoral care of the youth. The term Mac describes all music with a Christian message produced by a large group of musicians which the working team led by Msgr. Pierre Benoît, has met and discovered. “With this document – he said – our desire is to acknowledge the existence and the richness of this music”. The project stems from a reflection on the relationship between the youth and liturgy, and on the liturgical experience they can make inside the Church. Since music often has an important role for the young generations, the objective has been that of discovering the groups yearning to transmit the Christian message to help the bishops and youth animators learn more about music applied to the spiritual experience. “The interest for Christian music – underlined Msgr. Benoît – involves the reconciliation with the rock culture. Evangelisation thus ought to be viewed within this perspective”. The working group has identified different purposes of this music (for religious witness and performances, for prayer assemblies, praise and liturgy) and made proposals for their implementation. “The problem goes beyond the liturgical question”, concluded Msgr. Benoît. “It also regards the Church’s solicitude towards the world of the youth. We also want to enable a generation of young artists to feel they are members of the Church”. Northern Ireland: training in drug education 18 young people a few days ago were presented with “Peer Leaders” certificates upon the termination of advanced training in drug education promoted by IBDI, the Irish Bishop’s Drug initiative. Msgr. John McAreavey, bishop of Dromore, presented the certificates in Our Lady’s College at Newry. The idea of peer education is that young people are highly influenced by their peers and that information coming from “like individuals” will be valued more highly than information from adults. As one student said: “I now understand the risks and factors involved in drug use along with many ways to help prevent alcohol / drug misuse it in my community”. The “Peer 4 Peer Programme” enables students to educate their younger peers on the subject of alcohol and other drugs. It comprises of eight training sessions on advanced listening skills, presentation skills, good practice in drug education as well as full factual knowledge and information on alcohol and drugs use/misuses. This is the first time this programme has been delivered in Northern Ireland. The programme was produced by the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative in line with DEWF (Quality Standards in Drug Education). The IBDI has delivered this programme in many other parts of Ireland. The IBDI promotes working in partnership with other service providers in the area of drug prevention and has produced a number of publications and coordinated a national network. The Initiative has now expanded to include over 130 other parishes throughout the country. “The Church is glad offer its infrastructure so as to facilitate this important access”, Msgr. McAreavy declared.
